Rev Yawson

This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song!

Despite their many trails and tribulations, the Tagoe Sisters continue to wax stronger and churn out more hit songs that change lives, soothe souls, convert people to Christ, inspire and encourage people to live fruitful lives.

Twenty-five years after they hit the gospel trail, they have not looked back and they continue to share their experiences with people all over the world who are affected by their music in different ways.

Lydia Dedei Yawson nee Tagoe and Elizabeth Korkoi Tagoe were born to the late Hammond Ayikwei Tagoe of Korle-Wokon, a suburb of Accra and the late Madam Theresa Aidoo of Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region on July 27, in the 60s.

They had their education at the Alogboshie primary and middle schools, near Achimota in Accra. They continued to the YMCA to learn dressmaking but abandoned it to answer their call musically. Even though their parents were against their singing when showed a strong inclination towards that line, they were not dissuaded and joined the ‘I am that I am’ church choir.

Together with Hannah Tsia Mensah, they became the ‘I am Three Sisters’ and were the great force behind the great I Am That I Am Church and toured the country in year long conventions. They did not sing gospel songs but collaborated and supported musicians such as Felix Bell, Gemann, Sidiku Buari and other top Ivorian musicians.

With the Advent Heralds between 1982 and 1983, the twins performed during the Open Bible Crusade which toured the length and breadth of the country and came to be recognized as the first group or duo male and female rendering contemporary gospel music to the nation. That they are Ghana Queens of contemporary gospel music is not in doubt. Through their Godfather, Nana Ekumfi II, they met the late reverend Amoako who became their spiritual leader in 1985.

“Reverend Amoako pointed out to our godfather that we were talented and advised him that he should leave us in his hands.” Lydia told me. “The Resurrection Power Evangelistic Ministries base and we continued to attend crusades and conventions from the north to the south of the country with our godfather,” continued Elizabeth.

Lydia mentioned that in 1987, there was a program in London and he ‘he took us along. When we came back we released our first album a year later titled ‘Stay In My Heart’, followed by ‘Nyame Ye Kese’ in 1990’. According to Elizabeth, in the same year when they were returning to Accra from a crusade in Takoradi, they had a fatal accident between Mankessim and Apam and they lost spiritual leader Rev. Amoako. But they met Reverend Yawson at the ‘Harvesters Evangelistic Ministries’ All Pastors and Evangelist Conference (APRICON) and that set the twins on another course.

He started writing their songs and two years later came out with ‘Yesu Be Ye Ama Wo, Manya Yesu (1994), Anka Matete (1996) and Watua Maka in (2000).’

Their exciting music has traveled all over the world transcending cultural and political barriers, leaving joy and inspirations wherever they performed. The two-part style of singing in unison and the occasional injections of the two-part harmony has come to stay, and other gospel duos and trios have picked that style. According to the twins, God is using them to set people free from their troubles, sin, mending hearts, inspiring and encouraging people to believe in the Lord and above all, reach out to the poor and needy bringing them hope and closer to the Almighty.

At La Palm Royal Beach Hotel last Saturday, the Tagoe Sisters launched their seventh album titled ‘Eto Betwa’ at a colourful ceremony which was witnessed by a large number of guest including pastors, evangelists, musicians and gospel music lovers.

With the Megastar Band in attendance, the hall reverberated to gospel music from a number of stars. Then Big G set the ball rolling with ‘Midi Makuma’, a song from his new album. The Tagoe sisters also took their turn and in beautiful Kente outfits, gave a wonderful rendition of some of their hit songs with well choreographed dances and voices that blend so well after many years of singing together. Their unique voices showed in its nuances and inflections so natural as they sang.

Exuding joy with their songs they touched all who listened to them in different ways. Rev. Yawson also took his turn to perform a couple of songs proving that he indeed is a great performer and a song writer and a real force behind the twins one of whom he is married to.

Rev. Paa Joe Markwei, MC for the event, was super and kept the audience laughing throughout with his beautiful anecdotes. His senior brother, Dr. Markwei, who launched the album noted that the Tagoe Sisters’ song ‘Yedi Nkunim’ which was played each time the satellites performed during their World Cup campaign in 1993 inspired them to the finals and said that “25 years of holding mikes and touching peoples’ hearts with their songs is a blessing.”

The first copy of the album was sold for 25 million cedis and it was bought by Ovation. About 170 million was made from the sale of some copies of the album. Comprising 10 soul inspiring songs, the album opens with Opataka Gyeoku, a mid-tempo tune with a lively instrumentation which has the trade mark of the Tagoe sister’s voice confident, imploring as it flows beautifully above the instrumentation.

This is followed by the title track Eto Betwa which says that all will be over. In the next track, the twins perform a tune that sounds different titled Fire of Favour in which the voices became more bassy but still maintain high notes in the backing vocals which they also performed. The lyrics as in most of their songs were inspiring.

In all the songs, the instrumentation are great and has the big band sound and in M’anim Regu Asi Da a more highlify tune takes the next track. Other great songs on the album include Ayeyi Ndwom, Odumfo, My Story Will Change, Lord Of All and Gwuan Hyefo Pa.

After four years of waiting, gospel music lovers will find the latest album of Ghana’s Queens of contemporary gospel music a treasure to keep in their libraries. Since 1994, they have been on the Megastar label which has been an insurance of quality production of their albums ever since, leading to winning of several awards including three ECRAG Awards, Kokumba, Ebony Consistent Christian, GAWE and Anansekrom Awards. In a chat with Karim Kudaya, marketing manager of Megastar, he stated that his album is the very best of the Tagoe Sisters and “it will cause all other gospel musicians to shelve their releases for next Easter.”

Written By Megastar